Valmiki Ramayana 1.72.12 — Bala Kanda, Sarga 72, Shloka 12

वैवाहिकसंबन्ध

निश्चयः / Fixing the Mithila–Ayodhya Marital Alliance

Devanagari script

एकाह्ना राजपुत्रीणां चतसृणां महामुने।पाणीन् गृह्णन्तु चत्वारो राजपुत्रा महाबला:।।।।

Transliteration

ekāhnā rājaputrīṇāṃ catasṛṇāṃ mahāmune | pāṇīn gṛhṇantu catvāro rājaputrā mahābalāḥ ||

Translation

«Oh gran sabio, que los cuatro poderosos príncipes tomen la mano de las cuatro princesas, todo en un solo día.»

Word by Word

• ekāhnā: on the same day
• ekāhnā: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ekāhan (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययीभाव-समास; अव्यय (adverbial/instrumental sense): ‘in/within one day, on the same day’

• rājaputrīṇām: of the princesses
• rājaputrīṇām: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rājaputrī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग; षष्ठी-विभक्ति (Genitive/6th); बहुवचन

• catasṛṇām: of the four
• catasṛṇām: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: catasṛ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग; षष्ठी-विभक्ति (Genitive/6th); बहुवचन; संख्याविशेषण (numeral adjective)

• mahāmune: O great sage
• mahāmune: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mahāmuni (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; सम्बोधन-विभक्ति (Vocative); एकवचन; कर्मधारय-समास (mahā + muni)

• pāṇīn: hands (in marriage)
• pāṇīn: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pāṇi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd); बहुवचन

• gṛhṇantu: let (them) take
• gṛhṇantu: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: grah (धातु)
• Form: लोट्-लकार (Imperative); प्रथम-पुरुष (3rd person); बहुवचन; परस्मैपद

• catvāraḥ: four
• catvāraḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: catvāra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st); बहुवचन; संख्याशब्द

• rājaputrāḥ: princes
• rājaputrāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rājaputra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st); बहुवचन; तत्पुरुष-समास (rājan + putra)

• mahābalāḥ: mighty/valiant
• mahābalāḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: mahābala (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st); बहुवचन; विशेषण; कर्मधारय-समास (mahā + bala)

Context

O Great ascetic! let the valiant four princes take the hands of four princesses on the same day.

Characters & Entities

• Janaka
• Viśvāmitra

FAQs

What is the core ethical principle (Dharma) in this verse?

Dharma is seen as orderly performance of saṃskāras: marriage is undertaken with planning, propriety, and deference to the sage who oversees ritual correctness.

What is the narrative situation?

Janaka proposes that all four marriages be conducted on the same day, indicating readiness and coordination for the ceremony.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Efficiency with ritual respect—Janaka coordinates practical arrangements while still placing the decision under the sage’s guidance.